Exam 8: Motivation: From Concept to Applications

Janice and Shunil are both senior software analysts. They have worked together on projects for six years and get along great. Janice is pregnant and anticipating the arrival of her first child. Shunil would like to experiment with opening his own business as a home media installation consultant. They both need some income. Which of the following alternative job structures would be best for Janice and Shunil?

What is employee involvement and why is it important. Give two examples.

Your supervisor has heard that employee involvement is important and you have been instructed to research various methods of employee involvement. You are supposed to help assist in the analysis of the probable effects of each of the programs being considered. -You have decided to let employees select a small group to represent them and work with management. This is termed ________.

The JCM model consists of task significance, feedback, meaningfulness, and autonomy.

Amalgamated Industries manufactures parts for furniture. Management has decided to change the method of payment to a skill-based plan. You are interested in increasing your current compensation and see this as an opportunity. -Which of the following may be a disadvantage of introducing this type of pay plan?

Which of the following has not been shown to be a benefit of flex time?

Which of the following is not true?

Your supervisor has heard that employee involvement is important and you have been instructed to research various methods of employee involvement. You are supposed to help assist in the analysis of the probable effects of each of the programs being considered. -Your supervisor proposes that participative management will solve your productivity, motivation, and job performance problems. Which of the following is not a warning you should give him about this approach?

Flexible spending plans allow employees to set aside up to the dollar amount offered in the plan to pay for particular services.

Amalgamated Industries manufactures parts for furniture. Management has decided to change the method of payment to a skill-based plan. You are interested in increasing your current compensation and see this as an opportunity. -You should expect to earn more if you ________.

Job rotation, flex time, and job sharing are all designed to increase employee flexibility.

Which of the following defines skill variety?

Traditional benefit packages were designed for the typical employee of the 1950s; a stereotype that now fits fewer than 10% of employees.

Jobs that are high on motivating potential must be high on at least one of the three factors that lead to experienced meaningfulness, and they must be high on both autonomy and feedback.

Which of the following are all forms of variable-pay programs?

Studies show that financial incentives are more motivating in the long-run.

Liz is single with no children. She is a night person, and can not function until after her morning coffee, a slow waking up and getting ready, and watching or listening to the morning news. She detests the morning traffic rush, and is in a horrible mood if she has to deal with it. When looking for a 40 hour a week job, which of the following schedules would be most appealing for Liz?

People who sell peanuts at ballparks and keep $.75 for every bag of peanuts they sell are being paid piece-rate wages.

Explain how participative management can enhance skill variety, task identity, and autonomy as described in the Job Characteristics Model (JCM).

Discuss the cross-cultural differences in telecommuting. Specifically where is it used more? Less? Why?